James "Holts" C. Holzmeier

He was a U.S. Navy veteran and served during the Vietnam War. He was a member of PAWV, VFW 805 and Blessed Sacrament Church. Holts met the love of his life Cecilia in high school and they later got married on September 30, 1977 in Belleville, IL. Holts got HVAC certification at Ranken Technical College. He worked for Toberman Grain CO in East St. Louis for many years, then retired from St. Clair County Housing Authority. He loved spending time in his yard gardening and feeding birds. Holts also enjoyed listening to music, reading history books (especially WWII and Civil War era), watching the Cardinals play and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Lorraine (nee Schlattweiler) Holzmeier; parents-in-law, Leo and Kate Fehner; sister-in-law, Mary Alspaugh; and brother-in-law, William Cornelison.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his beloved wife of 45 years, Cecilia (nee Fehner) Holzmeier; son, Oliver (Jacklyn Meyer) Holzmeier; sisters, Karen (Lonnie) Murray and Mary Cornelison; brothers-in-law, Leo (Mary) Fehner, Jim (Janice) Fehner, and Walter Aspaugh; plus numerous nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews, and a host of friends. He was an incredibly thoughtful and opinionated man who will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

A memorial gathering will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Monday, February 6, 2023 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, immediately followed by a memorial service officiated by Rev. Matthew Elie at 6:00 PM. A private inurnment with military honors will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL.

Donations in Holts’ honor can be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, Belleville, IL.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ValhallaGardensandFuneralHome.com for the Holzmeier family.